Portraits inspire Montco judges to raise the bar

Judge Steven C. Tolliver stands next to his portrait, which was unveiled Wednesday.
SUBMITTED PHOTO

Norristown >> As two judges stood proudly by their newly unveiled portraits at Montgomery County Court Wednesday, they each took a chance to paint a picture of their own, of how they got here and where they want to go.

County Judges Gail A. Weilheimer and Steven C. Tolliver were flanked by family, friends and staff at the unveiling in Courtroom A. The two were sworn in January 2014.

President Judge William Furber kicked off the ceremony

“A portrait remains a testimony forever. An instant of someone’s life, a side of their personality that holds many other facets, they convey the spirit of this wonderful legal community to which we are so privileged to belong,” Furber said.

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Furber also pointed out the portraits that were unveiled last Friday of judges Richard P. Haaz and Cheryl L. Austin, which now hang on the walls of the ceremonial courtroom. Those portraits, along with the ones unveiled Wednesday, were commissioned by the Montgomery County Bar Association, and created by photographer and artist Richard Quindry.

Weilheimer’s portrait was the first unveiled, soon to join her colleagues on the wall. Weilheimer, a former Abington Township commissioner, said her portrait was “beyond every expectation.” She told the story of how she nearly rescheduled her session to pose for the photograph on which the portrait would be based, because the heat had ruined her hair.

“Part of that I did for vanity purposes and part of that I did because, for me, what this picture signifies. For me joining my colleagues on the walls of this beautiful courtroom is incredible,” Weilheimer said. “We have the privilege of being a very few people who serve our community and try to do justice every day.”

Tolliver, a former borough councilman in Yeadon, called his portrait “fantastic.”

“Special thanks to Mr. Quindry for creating such a flattering portrait,” he said.

He seemed to see the unveiling, not as an honor, but as a challenge. He said he will work to live up to the legacy a courthouse portrait implies.

“Sometimes judges have to distinguish themselves before anyone paints a portrait of them. The bar association in Montgomery County does it early in our careers,” Tolliver said. “But on our promise and our oath, the Montgomery County Bar Association and the community with hope unseen, with faith, they believe and trust that we as judges will do the right thing.”

Quindry said each portrait took a few days, and that he tried to capture the personalities of his subjects. His work was unveiled in a room of family members, friends and many who admire and learn from the judges being honored.

“I will work every day of my judicial career to earn that honor and that respect,” Tolliver said.

About the Author

Kaitlyn Foti graduated from Arcadia University in Glenside in 2008. Hailing from Philadelphia, she has covered parts of the city and Montgomery County until starting at the Mercury in Dec. 2014 covering Berks County news. Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlynfoti or reach her at kfoti@pottsmerc.com. Reach the author at kfoti@pottsmerc.com
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